These would probably help most, Detroit would have other teams beating each other up every game, or a real long travel series if it goes deep. Also would be facing a fairly young/inexperienced playoff team. Would probably still go to 6 and be a tough matchup, but I think they would be fine heading into round 2.
Cons - Chance to face Hawks in Round 2, Arizona is still a pretty rough distance, but at least there's a decent chance it'd be the furthest in the playoff run.

Phoenix still has a shot at being a division winner, so could end up differently. Would be happy to hear other opinions on matchups.

Honestly, I would rather see the Wings play any of the top three teams than Phoenix. Something about that team just makes me nervous. Although, with the way the Wings have been playing lately, if they carry this momentum into the playoffs I have confidence that they can beat any team they face in the opening round.

I don't know why, but I'm almost most afraid of Phoenix. I think they're a young team that's going to be amped going to the post-season for the first time since... however long. At the same time, they could show their inexperience and falter pretty quickly too.

Also, I'm not a conspiracy theorist but I do think they might find the refs being a little lenient to Bettman's current prized organization. I could see a few calls going their way so that they can bring in more playoff revenue.

I would love to meet Chicago in the conference final again, and have them do better against us. Every game we play against Chicago seems to be entertaining. I just wish fans of other Central division teams would stop with the "Detroit sucks" chants. They get annoying quick. I think it's much better to be encouraging to your own team, but that's just me.

I absolutely want to face Phoenix in the first round. Out of all the potential teams to verse I think they rely on their goalie the most. I see that series as one where the Wings will likely out-shoot them by a much wider margin than if they were to vs Chicago, San Jose, or Vancouver. That bodes well for Howie's first round in the playoffs, imo. Also, while Phoenix has been dangerous, the Wings fans are going to crowd the hell out of their arena, and they'll have strong crowd support in all 7 games. Mentally, Phoenix might be facing 7 road games in that series.

I'd want us to play Chicago, because they have the worst goaltending out of those other teams. I don't think they want to play us in the first round.

Phoenix is not going to be as scared of the Wings as the other top 3 teams, because they just don't know any better, and they don't have as much pressure on them as Chicago or San Jose per se. They're the kind of team we always struggle against. A no name team with a hot goalie and a tight defensive system of hockey.

Everyone is expecting San Jose to choke, so this may be their year under the radar where they finally succeed.

Vancouver is a bad travel matchup, and Luongo and Sammy would kill us.

I guess I'd want the Coyotes in round 1. No matchup will be ideal, but I think that one has the potential to be the safest. Then again, I would love to knock off one of the powerhouse teams in round 1.

AVS good young team,but thats why a YOUNG team Holmstrom has more playoff expiernece then that whole team. Honestly though the Wings are rolling now and besides Loungo and Bryzgolov i think Wings have the best goalie, Nabakov gives up 1 goal and stops trying,Huet enough said. I remember when people where saying the Wings couldnt beat Hiller he would shut us down, because of his play the round before and during the season, then he got the Wings and was getting peppered with like 40-55 shots a game.

AVS good young team,but thats why a YOUNG team Holmstrom has more playoff expiernece then that whole team. Honestly though the Wings are rolling now and besides Loungo and Bryzgolov i think Wings have the best goalie, Nabakov gives up 1 goal and stops trying,Huet enough said. I remember when people where saying the Wings couldnt beat Hiller he would shut us down, because of his play the round before and during the season, then he got the Wings and was getting peppered with like 40-55 shots a game.

Wings vs. Caps Finals

Wings win series 4-2

I hope that's not an expectation. (as it might of been in previous years) Unfortunatly this season is not a cup or bust season.

I hope we get Phoenix, but bring whoever on. I want to beat all the powerhouses!

I don't know why, but I'm almost most afraid of Phoenix. I think they're a young team that's going to be amped going to the post-season for the first time since... however long. At the same time, they could show their inexperience and falter pretty quickly too.

Also, I'm not a conspiracy theorist but I do think they might find the refs being a little lenient to Bettman's current prized organization. I could see a few calls going their way so that they can bring in more playoff revenue.

I would love to meet Chicago in the conference final again, and have them do better against us. Every game we play against Chicago seems to be entertaining. I just wish fans of other Central division teams would stop with the "Detroit sucks" chants. They get annoying quick. I think it's much better to be encouraging to your own team, but that's just me.

Out of the teams that are lining up 1-4, would anyone NOT want to play San Jose? I think that the Sharks may actually be mentally ready for certain situations-- but if their 1st Round opponent was Detroit, who thinks the Sharks long-termers (Marleau, Nabokov, for ex) would start to think "not this again"? Plus, the Sharks are really a one line team-- yeah, they have recently broke up the big 3-- but is anyone really afraid of Stay-Puffed Joe or Patrick Marleau on lines without Dany Heatley? I'm not.

Bring on the Sharks. I'd like an easy series to start things off, please.

Personally I want the Hawks in the 1st round. Their goaltending isn't just bad, it's terrible. Huet has been insanely bad, and Niemi hasn't been much better. I didn't realize how bad it's been for them until I was looking to pick up a goalie in my fantasy league. Both Huet and Niemi were both available to be picked up. And I didn't want either of them when I clicked on their stats for the past 20 games.

Also, we've already shown that now that we're healthy, we can dominate the Hawks. Plus, just a 1 hour time difference is a lot better than the 3 hour difference we would have to deal with if we face the Sharks or the Yotes. And how great would it be to send Hossa home in the 1st round?? Man I want the Hawks bad!

As happy as I would be to beat the Hawks and shut up their ignorant fans.... I'd be equally depressed and devastated if they lost to the hawks in round 1. I'd rather face the Hawks in round 2 when their goalie problems have manifested and the inexperience starts to show.

I don't know why, but I'm almost most afraid of Phoenix. I think they're a young team that's going to be amped going to the post-season for the first time since... however long. At the same time, they could show their inexperience and falter pretty quickly too.

Also, I'm not a conspiracy theorist but I do think they might find the refs being a little lenient to Bettman's current prized organization. I could see a few calls going their way so that they can bring in more playoff revenue.

I would love to meet Chicago in the conference final again, and have them do better against us. Every game we play against Chicago seems to be entertaining. I just wish fans of other Central division teams would stop with the "Detroit sucks" chants. They get annoying quick. I think it's much better to be encouraging to your own team, but that's just me.

This, Phoniex has been almost as hot as us lately, and got a lot better at the deadline (although the Wolski/Mueller deal was mutually benifical), I can see them creeping up on the Wings.

In a wierd way I almost think Chicago would be a good match up, as I honestly see us beating them in 5, especially if their injuries do not get better and we continue our hot streak. The momentum for beating the League's new golden team would certainly give the team a boost of confindence, enough to most probably make another run at the cup.

Idk though, picking your poison is always tough to do, especially seeing as I can see any matchup vs the 1-4 seeds ending in 5 games for EITHER team or 7 games for either team. Forced parity has arrived, unfortunatly.

I think Buttman will fix it so that the Wings will play Phoenix in the first round. He is trying to save the franchise. What better way than for them to face the Almighty Red Wings and have very high TV ratings. That's fine with me as long as Wings don't have to go to Vancouver in the second round.

Obviously you want the least travel.... so going first to Chicago, then San Jose and then Nashville or Colorado would be ideal.

BUT, if Wings can gain the fifth seed then they may have home ice advantage for round 2 and 3 because it is very very possible that the bottom round seeds will defeat the top four seeds in the first round... that would be real nice.

If you look at the teams Phoenix played during their winning streak they overall were not very good teams.

The Winged Wheel isn't afraid of anyone... JUST STAY HEALTHY.... that is the bottom line.

Nabby has better numbers on an equally good defensive team. Neither is as scary as Bryzgalov but Luongo is definitely the the less impressive of the three. He's easily taken off his game and has been pulled about 82 times this year.

Luongo has the potential to be terrifying but he's really not been impressive this year.

Nabby has better numbers on an equally good defensive team. Neither is as scary as Bryzgalov but Luongo is definitely the the less impressive of the three. He's easily taken off his game and has been pulled about 82 times this year.

Luongo has the potential to be terrifying but he's really not been impressive this year.

Nabokov also has a better team around him, Luongo i believe showed in the Olympics why he is better, Nabokov i think is really overrated he is a good goalie but is really streaky and seems to have no heart when hes playing score one on him and looks like he gives up.